Lucille Rose Potter

Chapter 82

"I got to go, I'm meeting Ginny and the boys in McGonagall's office." Lucy said, packing up her books.

"Ok," Luna smiled over her textbook, "thanks for helping me with potions."

"Of course," Lucy smiled.

"Yeah, Lucy, I can't thank you enough, I really need to pass Defense, it used to be one of my better subjects but now that Snape's teaching it, I can't get anything higher than an A," Neville groaned, "my grandmother will kill me if I fail."

"Well I will help you guys anytime,"Lucy said, " and you'll do great, Neville, I believe in you, I'll see you guys at dinner."

She slung her bag over her shoulder and walked into the corridor.

"Lucy!" Harry called just around the corner from McGonagall's office.

"Harry!" Lucy jumped in surprise, "you're early! I was just going to meet you."

"Mum barely let us go," Ginny groaned, "she's been a proper mess since Percy left."

"Sirius and Remus want me to stop my lessons," Harry said, "they have it out for Dumbledore."

"I agree with them," Lucy said, "don't you think it's odd that he suddenly decided to pull you for private lessons."

Harry shrugged, "I don't know, Luce."

"Baubles," Ron said as they stopped in front of the portrait hole.

"No," the Fat Lady said, she looked rather worn and tired, wincing at Ron's loud voice.

"What do you mean 'no' ?"

"There is a new password," she said, "and please don't shout."

"It's—" Lucy started.

"Harry! Ginny! Lucy!"

Hermione was hurrying towards them, very pink-faced and wearing a cloak, hat, and gloves.

"I got back a couple hours ago, I've just been down to visit Hagrid and Buck—I mean Witherwings," she said
breathlessly, "did you have a good Christmas?"

"Yeah," Ron said, "Rufus Scrim—"

"I've got something for you, Harry," said Hermione, neither looking at Ron nor giving any sign that she had heard him, "Oh, hang on—password. Abstinence."

"Precisely," the Fat lady said in a feeble voice, and swung forward to reveal the portrait hole.

"What's up with her?" asked Harry.

"Overindulged over Christmas, apparently," said Hermione, rolling her eyes as she led the way into the packed common room. "She and her friend Violet drank their way through all the wine in that picture of drunk monks down by the Charms corridor. Anyway...."

She rummaged through her pocket for a moment, then pulled out a scroll with Dumbledore's writing on it.

"Great," Harry sighed, unrolling the parchment, "I've got loads to tell you, come on. Let's sit down."

"Won-Won!" Lavender shrieked, hurtling out of nowhere and flinging herself into Ron's arms.

Several onlookers sniggered and Hermione let out tinkling laugh and said, "there's a table over here, coming Ginny? Lucy?"